I was thinking of getting a branded oil card, Shell, Exxon etc.. My question is when you use you Shell or Exxon card at the pump do they give you the cash price or you still have to pay the credit price?

Quoting fr8mech (Reply 3):I haven't seen a price difference in at least a decade.

There are a good number of stations that charge a higher price for credit vs. cash. And I've seen that driving through NY, NJ, PA, VA, NC, SC. Many places do charge the same - and usually proclaim "Same Price Cash or Credit" to make sure you know it and to attract your business.

As to the OP, I think you might have to check with the individual companies to see what their policy is. I don't have a branded oil company card, so I can't offer any help there.

Quoting moose135 (Reply 4):And I've seen that driving through NY, NJ, PA, VA, NC, SC. Many places do charge the same - and usually proclaim "Same Price Cash or Credit" to make sure you know it and to attract your business.

Having lived in PA for nearly 23 years, most of the stations (regardless of brand) I've been to and/or around me charge the same price... cash or credit (regardless of credit card type). The only price differential I've seen in the Keystone State is full-serve prices vs. self-serve prices; but that's another topic for another thread.

However, in MA, there are indeed many independent/off-brand stations that do indeed charge more for a credit card purchase vs. a cash purchase.

"TransEastern! You'll feel like you've never left the ground because we treat you like dirt!" SNL Parady ad circa 1981

I think a lot of the backlash in places where I have seen this is due to the fact that CC companies charge such high rates for the CC use. for me it does not matter much as my home city does not have this difference. I get my 2% back on gas stations through the Chase Amazon Card.

I see it at only a few small independent stations in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana.

However, I see different cash / credit prices at truck stops for diesel almost everywhere.

Quoting STT757 (Thread starter):My question is when you use you Shell or Exxon card at the pump do they give you the cash price or you still have to pay the credit price?

Always the credit price.

The cash/ credit price was developed for most stations because of the way 'franchise' stations operate.

At a great many gas stations which are not owned by the big oil company, they buy their fuel for cash/check up front.

Be it Shell, Exxon, Mobil, etc - the gas comes from the same distribution facility. Each oil company adds their 'blend' chemicals when the gas is pumped into the tanker truck.

Since the gas distributor can be a 'small business' in many places - they don't the financial freedom to extend hundreds of thousands of dollars of credit to all the gas station in their area.

So the small family owned stations have to pay up front for their fuel before it is pumped into their tanks.

Since Joe Patel has to pay 'cash' to have fuel to sell, waiting 15-45 days for the credit card company to put the money into his account makes the gas station owner the one who has to carry the 'float'.

Discounted cash prices put the money in his account much faster.

Also - today's Shell/ Exxon card is not a COMPANY card in most cases. The company doesn't extend the credit, manage the card. I have a Shell and an Exxon card in my wallet - along with a Lowes and Home Depot branded cards.

When I read the small print on the back

Exxon, Shell, Home Depot - all Citibank
Lowes - GE Money Bank

They are all just branded Visa cards restricted to use at one company's stores.

They are all just branded Visa cards restricted to use at one company's stores.

To clarify; if the credit card only bears the gas/oil company's name/logo but not the VISA nor MasterCard, then it's a gas/oil company credit card that only can be used at those stations. It may even list a bank on the back of it (like my BP card has a Chase (bank) logo on it) but if there's nothing else (VISA/MasterCard); it's still just a gas (station) card.

OTOH, my Sunoco card has no VISA/MasterCard logo nor a bank logo on the back; although it does have a small Cirrus logo, but I think that's only for ATM use (which I would never use that card for).

Quoting fr8mech (Reply 9):Quoting moose135 (Reply 4):
There are a good number of stations that charge a higher price for credit vs. cash. And I've seen that driving through NY, NJ, PA, VA, NC, SC.

In the last 2 years I have filled up in each of those states, except one (SC) and do not recall seeing a different price for cash.

Drive along US 30 from the Ben Franklin Bridge through Camden and NJ Route 70 from Camden to Mt. Laurel and you'll see plenty of stations (regardless of brand) that charge a different (higher) price for credit than for cash.

Quoting fr8mech (Reply 9):What I have started seeing around here is a different price for debit vs. credit. Debit being .03 cheaper than credit.

On gas station/convenient store along MA Route 131 in Sturbridge recently posted a notice that effective this July (I was at the station a month ago) the debit price will be the same as the higher credit price. The debit price used to be the same as the cash price.

[Edited 2013-07-10 10:36:08]

"TransEastern! You'll feel like you've never left the ground because we treat you like dirt!" SNL Parady ad circa 1981